Switch-operating mechanism



March 11, 1930. F. A. LUNDAHL 1,750,234

SWITCH OPERATING MEGHANISM Filed Oct. '7, 1929 F1 E- E INVENTOR. m// Y 777 @MI/1w.

A TTORNEY Patented Mar. 11, 1930 PATENT AOFFICE FRED A. LUNDAI-IL, OF MOLINE, ILLINOIS SWITCH-OPERATING MECHANISM Application filed October 7, 1929. Serial No. 397,829.

The present invention pertains to track switches and more particularly to mechanism for actuating the movable track sections of such switches. Among the objects of this invention are to simplify a mechanism of the character stated; to provide a mechanism of the character indicated which will be simple in its construction and positive in its action; to provide an apparatus of the nature 'indicated which will be inexpensive to manufacture and which will still be eicient in producing the desired result; and such fur ther objects, advantages and capabilities as will hereafter appear and as are inherent in the construction disclosed herein. My invention further resides in the combination, construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawing and, while I have shown therein what is now considered the preferred embodiment of this invention, I desire this disclosure to be understood as illustra-tive only and not to be interpreted in a limiting sense.

In the drawing annexed hereto and forming a part hereof, Fig. 1 is a plan view of a construction embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section taken substantially along the plane indicated by the line 2-2, Fig. 1; Figs. 3 and 4 are views similar to Figs. 1 and 2 with the parts in a different operative position; Fig. 5 is an elevation of this construction looking at the right side of Fig. 3; Fig. 6 is a plan view with the parts in a dierent position.

Referring more in detail to the annexed drawing, we see that the body of the device comprises a pair of channel plates 1 and 2, the channel 3 of the plate 1 being narrower than the channel 4 of the plate 2. These two Splates are secured together in any suitable manner, such as by spot welding. To the upper side of the channel4 are secured a pair of bearing blocks 5 and 6 which are apertured for the reception of the shaft 7. This shaft has a part 8 thereof bent at an angle to the rotating part of the shaft, as indicated at 9. Adjacent its extremity, the part 8 has a weight 10 secured thereto to hold the switch in adjusted position. The bearing openings in the bearing members 5 and 6 are co-aXial and the shaft 7 is rotatably mounted therein. A sleeve is cut diagonally and the parts 11 and 11a are mounted on the shaft 7 and sccured in place by suitable means such as rivets 12. The diagonal faces of the sections of this sleeve are arranged on the shaft 7 substantially parallel and receive between them a block 13 so apertured that it can rock from one side to the other as shownfin Figs. 2 and 4. It willV be seen that as the shaft 7 is rotated by turning the crank 8 from side to side, the sleeve is turned through 180o and the direction of the slot in which the block 18 is located is changed from the position shown in Fig. 2 to that shown in Fig. 4.

'Iliis block 13 has an extension 14 upon which is mounted a preferably cylindrical or substantially cylindrical swiveled member 15. The connection of these two members is lsuch that the one can turn inside of the other. In the present instance, a pin 16 is shown as passing through a perforation in the member 15 and a groove in the cylindrical surface of the projection 14. The end of member 15 is shown as provided with a slot 17 for the reception of the flattened end 18 of link 19. The link 19 is shown as having a connecting member 2O mounted thereon and held in place `by means of a pair of nuts 21. The length of the connection between the pivot 22 and the perforation 23 may be adjusted by proper adjustment of the nuts 21. A link, not shown, is connected tothe member 20 by any suitable means passing through the perforation 23 and to this link may be secured the movable parts ofthe switch rails of a switch.

It will be seen from the foregoing that when the crank 8 is turned from the position shown in Fig. 1 to that shown in Fig. 3 and vice versa, the link 19 will be extended to the position shown in Fig. 4 and this will result in the switch rails being moved from one position of adjustment to another, thereby operating the switch in its accustomed manner. liVhile I have designed this switch operating means with particular reference to its utility in connection with toy railroads, it is believed that it will have great utility also in connection with full sized railroads `and itis therefore intended to cover same in its uses for both purposes.

It will be understood that the specific structure herein described may be departed from without departing from" the spirit of this invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I-Iaving now described my invention, I claim:

1. In a switch operating mechanism, a frame having bearing elements, a shaft, rotatable in the bearing elements, means for rotating the shaft, cam members secured on said shaft and having spaced substantially parallel cooperating faces extending diagonally to the shaft, a perforated member mounted on the shaft between the said faces and cooperating therewith, and means connected with said member to be connected to the rails of the switch whereby the switch may be operated by rotating the shaft.

2. In a switch operating` mechanism, a frame having spaced bearing blocks provided with alined apertures, a shaft in the apertures and rotatable therein, cam members secured on said shaft and having spaced substantially parallel cooperating faces extending diagonally to the shaft, a perforated member mounted on the shaft between the said faces and cooperating therewith, and means connected with said member to be connected to the rails of the switch whereby the switch may be operated by rotating the sh aft.

3. In a switch operating mechanism, a supporting element having spaced, alined bearings, a shaft rotatable in the bearings, a sleeve cut diagonally and iixedly mounted on said shaft with its diagonal faces substantially parallel, a perforated block having its faces which are intersected by the perforation substantially parallel and said block having the shaft mounted in its perforation, and a linkage connection between the bleek and the rails of the switch.

4. In a switch operating mechanism, a supporting element having spaced, alined bearings, a shaft rotatable in the bearings, a sleeve cut diagonally and fixedly mounted on said shaft with its diagonal faces substans tially parallel, a perforated block having its faces which are intersected by the perforation substantially parallel and said block having the shaft mounted in its perforation, an extension from said block having pivotal connection therewith, and a link pivotally connected with said extension and adapted to be connected to the switch rails.

5. In a switch operating mechanism, a sh aft Y FRED A. LUNDAI-IL. 

